Sailor 1911 Large - My First Sailor Pen

Sailor pens are well known in the pen community and I have heard many great things about these pens. An opportunity came about where I was able to get a used Sailor 1911 Large and couldn't argue about the asking price. Well, here we are and let's take a look.

This Sailor is a glossy black with rhodium trim. The 1911 model is in the traditional cigar based shape which I see a lot of in Japanese pens. This is a fairly light pen as it is made out of resin. The nib on the 1911 is a 14k gold nib on the standard size and the large size features a 21k gold nib.

Sailor is known for having a wide array of different nib types. This particular pen has a H-B nib which is a hard broad. Being a Japanese pen, nib widths typically are a size below their western counterparts. What I found interesting here is the Sailor H-B is smaller in width than a Pilot B and a Platinum B nib. All three of these are Japanese broad nibs and the Sailor is the narrowest of the three.

The writing is super smooth, which is exactly what I had heard with Sailor pens and it is a pleasure to write with. The nib is very hard and does not offer any line variation which is just fine. I have a feeling that this is the reason for the narrow B line as the Pilot and Platinum are both springy when writing.

The type of paper used is also a factor in the Sailor line width. The top picture is Tomoe River paper and the bottom is the Midori MD notebook. The Midori MD paper really causes the line width of this pen to be rather more of a fine nib. It is quite fascinating.

For comparison, the Sailor 1911 L is the same size as the Platinum 3776 for the most part. The end of the Sailor has more of an extended taper than the 3776 but ultimately the pen.

All in all, I like the Sailor 1911 L pen but I would not pay retail for it. The large edition is approx $268 here in the U.S. and I was able to get this used for $145. It had been inked once and the owner didn't care for the B nib. It is a great pen for the price I paid but I would have been disappointed had I paid full price. I don't see the benefits of the higher price tag.

This review is based off of my experience and opinion. I do not represent Sailor nor am I being compensated in any way.

Papier Plume Red Beans and Rice Ink

Red Beans and Rice is a very notable Creole dish from New Orleans and is most commonly associated with being eaten on Mondays, as that was washday and women would put the beans in a pot to simmer all day as chores were being done. Papier Plume is a New Orleans based business and ink maker and they have a line of ink that takes inspiration from New Orleans in many different facets. Red Beans and Rice is the latest ink color offering so let’s have a look, shall we?

The bottle is well presented. I love the wax dip on the cap and the Fleur-de-lis stamped within on the top. This is an interesting ink and what I really found fascinating is how different paper makes the color slightly different.

So what color is it? It is a pinkish red with some soft brown undertones. The best way I have found to look at it is this. If I take a red kidney bean and try to write with it, this is the color I envision it making on the page. It definitely comes across more pink than solid red but it is growing on me.

Clairefontaine paper is smooth and I do love it but this ink color really looks washed out on it. The saturation is sucked out of the color on this paper. 

Tomoe River paper really brings out the saturation and crispness the ink has as well as the shading. Red does appear here but in person, it is more pink.

Leuchtturm paper is a middle of the road phenomenon between Tomoe River and Clairefontaine

Mnemosyne seems to bring out more of the red in the color, which is very strange. 

Overall, the Tomoe River paper is my favorite paper for this ink color. I am not much of a pink colored ink lover but this is a muted pink and it is growing on me. The only ink I have in my overflowing collection of ink that is anywhere close to Red Beans and Rice here is KWZ Brown Pink.

Brown Pink is much more pronounced and has more brown inside but I really enjoy both colors. 

This is based solely off of my opinions and experience. I do not represent Papier Plume nor am I being compensated in any way.

InkJournal Ink Flight #6

I must admit, I really love the InkJournal Ink Flight boxes every month. I love the mystery and surprise that each box contains. Last month I finally was able to try P.W. Akkerman inks and this month, Papier Plume which I have been wanting to try as well. What all did July have in store?

Papier Plume is a well-known retailer in New Orleans, Louisiana and has a reputation for the inks that they make and bottle. Their bottles are distinct and are usually wax dipped around the cap, much like Maker’s Mark whiskey bottles. I love that personal touch to the ink bottles and I was eager to try the ink. Here are the inks included this month:

• ·         Mardi Gras Indian Purple
• ·         Forget Me Not Blue
• ·         Forest Green
• ·         Peacock
• ·         Caramel
• ·         Sazerac
• ·         Red Beans and Rice

These inks are very saturated and have some wet properties. I like how they are all influenced with New Orleans and Louisiana culture. Whether it be influenced by Mardi Gras, flower retailer, alcoholic drinks or cuisine, the ink has plenty of inspiration. The Red Beans and Rice ink color is brand new and was just unveiled at the Miami Pen Show. It is a red-brown ink that lends itself more pinkish much like KWZ Brown Pink.

Also in this month’s box was a small Rhodia pad with a Rhodia travel case.

The pad is pocket sized and has lined ivory paper rated at 41lb (90 GSM). The leather case is a nice touch and has a built-in pen loop for smaller sized pens. The pad is nice for notes on the go and I will make use of it at work.

It was a smaller box this month but I am pleased with it, per normal. I still believe it is a nice value at $25 and the hours I get from playing with the new inks is so much fun. Yup, I am a pen and ink geek.

This review is based off my opinions and experience. I do not represent InkJournal in any way nor am I being compensated. 

Gypsy Road Pen - A Handcrafted Treasure

I cannot recall how I came across Gypsy Road and the lovely lady behind the scenes but I am very glad I did. Janelle Tyler is the Artisan behind Gypsy Road and is most notably known for her work with glass, in this case, pens. The package arrived with a pen, some care info and a small bottle of black India Ink.

I reached out to Janelle through Instagram and then email as I had looked at her site (Gypsy Road.Ca)and still had questions about all of the custom options I could choose from with a glass dip pen. We decided Skype may be in order and I got to spend some time talking to this talented Artisan. Janelle is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada but is currently preparing to move across the continent. Janelle was very inviting, personable and very passionate about what she is able to create.

Her glass dip pens have a multitude of customization options or you can purchase pre-made pens off of her Etsy shop. She also has different nib width options from Ultra Fine, Fine, Medium Fine, Medium Bold, Bold and Variable. I chose the medium width nib based off of our discussion and it is very close to what a German Medium would be in a fountain pen.

The Variable nib is very interesting and quite special. I am sworn to secrecy as to how the variable is achieved but what I can say is that it is intended for artist based use. The nib is rather like the Sailor Zoom nib as that depending on how you choose to hold it. Fine, Bold and Medium are all possible in one nib. Incredible.

Ok, so I ordered a pen that had 3 colors and I wished to theme it off of the colors in the German flag. Janelle knocked it out of the park here with red as the main core with black swirls and the yellow is actual bronze. It is stunning.

Due to our Skype call, Janelle saw the size of my hands and tailored the pen to be a bit larger to accommodate. She also mentioned she also got to see my personality which also helped her make the pen more suited to me. I could not be happier.

This pen has a triangular grip, much like a Lamy Safari or Al-Star but this one is much more established and is cozy in my grip. The nib writes super smooth and the need to re-dip into ink is not needed as often as you might think. The reservoirs here hold a ton of ink and distribute it very uniformly.

I have also found out that there was a video done that showcases Janelle Tyler and how she makes these wonderful pens. Please visit that YouTube video.

Bob also was very interested in this.

This review is based off of my opinions and experiences. I do not represent Gypsy Road nor am I being compensated in any way.

P.W. Akkerman Shocking Blue - Sheen for Days!

This ink just does not get enough press, in my opinion, especially with all the sheen talk concerning the Robert Oster inks of late. Yes, Fire & Ice is nice as is River of Fire and Blue Water Ice but P.W. Akkerman #5 Shocking Blue out sheens them all.

Shocking Blue is quite saturated and is a lovely shade of blue. It flows wonderfully and the sheen is absolutely stunning. With all of the press and excitement that this community had towards the sheen properties of Fire & Ice, I had to post about this overlooked gem of an ink.  I mean look at this on Leuchtturm paper:

And Tomoe River paper:

I recently tried this Dutch company’s ink and wow, I have jumped in with both feet here. The bottles are so very clever in design and yet are completely functional.

If you want a great blue color with sheen then look no further. P.W. Akkerman #5 Shocking Blue sheens like a mofo!!

This post is based off of my opinion and experience. I do not represent P.W. Akkerman at all nor am I being compensated in any way.

P.W. Akkerman Dutch Masters Series

As many of you saw, I recently tried some P.W. Akkerman inks for the first time and that really opened the floodgates. I now own a few bottles and have tried this limited Dutch Masters series of inks. I am very taken by the colors I have tried which is 5 out of 12 and I could easily use nothing but these colors. I like how Akkerman took some Dutch heritage with famous painters and used that as inspiration for each color. Let's take a look.

Israels Zeeblauw (Sea Blue)

This color is based off of the work by Johannes Israels entitled "Children of the Sea" from 1872.  It is an oil painting and I believe you can see where the color comes from here.

It is a very saturated ink with nice flow and some decent shading.

Honestly, this may be my next purchase as this came from a sample vial. I am not normally a fan of teal-like blues but this one is tugging at my wallet.

Steenrood van Vermeer (Red Stone)

This color is based off of the work of Johannes Vermeer entitled "The Little Street" dated 1657-8. Johannes is most noted, in my opinion, for the iconic painting of "The Girl with the Pearl Earring."

Steenrood is a rich red color that is also rich in saturation with good flow.

I have a few red inks but there is something to this one that may cause me to get rid of all of my other reds. It reminds of Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses but with saturation. Beautiful color.

Hals Oud Bruin (Old Brown Neck)

This is based off of the work of Frans Hals entitled "The Merry Drinker" dated 1628-30. A portrait of a man enjoying a tasty beverage.

Now this color is quite intriguing. It is very saturated with exceptional shading and flow. It is a golden brown color that really mimics this fellas skin tone.

What I also find interesting is the name of this ink color. It is named after a style of beer known as Oud Bruin (Old Brown). This referred to the long aging process of this particular beer which could be up to a year. I really fell in love with this color and bought a bottle. I am still surprised as I generally do not care for light browns, but here I am writing non-stop with it.

Van Huysum Sapgroen (Sap Green)

This is based off of the work of Jan van Huysum entitled "Still Life with Flowers and Fruit". I was not able to get a date here on this as this painter was fond of painting flowers and fruit in a still life format.

Now this ink is saturated and also shades like crazy but wow, it is bright.

This green is truly a sap green but you really need to like a bright, defined green to use it. I love green and it is my favorite color but this is too much for me. As far as the color goes for the inspiration to the painting, it is spot on. A very vivid color.

Ruisdaels Stormachtig Blauw (Stormy Blue)

This is based off of the work of Jacob van Ruisdael entitled "The Windmill at Wijk Bij Duurstede" dated 1670.

This is by far my favorite thus far. It is a deep blue black color but has large amounts of purple which means it has a fair amount of red inside.

At times this would come out of the pen as a blue black and others as blue purple but they both dried the same color which I found to be fascinating. It does a wonderful job of representing the sky of an impending storm and Akkerman really hit the mark with this color. Very fascinating and saturated ink. I have a bottle of this one.

These Dutch Master inks from P.W. Akkerman are stunning and I may need to explore the other 7 colors. The bottles are a whopping 120mL and still have the iconic and legendary bottle design that is also fun to use. Try some.

This is based off of my experiences and opinions and I do not represent P.W. Akkerman at all nor am I being compensated in any way.